Display apparatus



May 16, 1950 c. u. JOHNSON 2,507,857

DISPLAY muum'rusv File d Feb. 12, 1945 3 Shee'ts-Sheei; 1

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' DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. C. U. Jon/v50 A/ May 16, 1950 c. u. JOHNSON DISPLAY APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 12, 1945 INVENTOR.

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Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,507,857 DISPLAY APPARATUS Claude U; Johnson, Lakewood, Ohio Application February '12, 1945, Serial No. 577,387

Claims.

This invention relates to the class of changeable sign or display constructions for pictorial and other matter. The construction herein shown by way of example is especially adapted for providing changeable backgrounds or settings for window displays of merchandise but the apparatus is equally well adapted to be used for sign exhibition purposes generally, screens, stage scenery, outdoor and indoor advertising, etc.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved changeable display construction using readily demountable paneling adapted to be directly decorated or by the use of overlay sheet material such as cloth or paper in easily handled sections.

A further object is to provide a new or improved means for quickly erecting and securing in place paneling adapted to make up a sectional advertising or pictorial display or the like.

A further object is to provide a strong but adjustable supporting means for demountable paneling forming for example a background for displayed merchandise.

Further objects include a provision of a novel erecting system for changeable sign paneling; a new or improved overhead and base support for changeable sign paneling; a guide rail and panel combination by which paneling can be readily mounted in operating position with assurance that the several panels will remain in one plane. and a new or improved panelunit construction per se for changeable signs and the like.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the illustrative forms shown in the drawsummarized in the claims.

Referring briefly to the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a main or central panel and support assembly and, partially, two wing panel and support assemblies;

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragmentary plan views showing variations in main supporting column co nstructions on the order of that used in accordance with Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the preferredbase or framework construction including certain adjustable features thereof and a decorative concealing treatment or trim for the base columns;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing one manner Of securing the columnin place as on a floor;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified pivotally adjustable connector for either thebase column ings;- The essential novel characteristics are and a track and top trim assembly or for the base column and a base anchor strip;

Fig. 7 is a small scale perspective view of one of the display panels hereof;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional fragmentary view showing details of the panel unit construction and overhead support;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view further illustrating the subject matter of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified means for supporting a guide rod- -and top trim assemblies B connecting the columns, base anchor strips C adapted to be suitably secured to a floor or supporting surface between the columns directly below the assembly B and the demountable panel units D. The panel units D of each supporting assembly interlock with the base anchor strip 0' and with a guide rod running longitudinally in the track and trim assembly to determine the plane of alignment of the panel units. The panel units are in mutual abutment and the end units may abut respective columns at the'vertical edges of said units. Each of 'the panel units can be lifted and swung out of erected position for surface changing or other purposes and be readily replaced in the original or other positions or be replaced by other similar panel units in any desired selected positions along the main supports.

The central assembly as shown on Fig. 1 comshown, the columns may comprise rigid hollow polygonal pillars of any suitable material such for instance as wooden boards. In Fig. 2 the top of one such column is shown of triangular section, comprising two diverging and joined strips The columns need not, of course, be tubular... They can be made as angles or channels of board or strip stock or other suitable stiif materials Fig. 4 illustrates a rectangular arrangement of column forming members, the walls 'I' for example being arranged to support. the horizontally extending display portions of the structure and the walls 8 constituting connecting and reinforcing walls.

' The columns may be held erect on a main' supporting surface as by the use of base'angle irons as indicated at to and 3a, Fig; 5. The angle irons 8a are fairly narrow, for instance one inch wide strip stock for a six inch squarecolumn so as to be as inconspicuous as practicable and the normally concealed angle iron ea is made larger or heavier for securing greater supporting strength. The angles are screwed, bolted or otherwise secured to the column wallsand the main horizontal' supporting surface or floor, portions of which are shown at E. Figs. 4' and 8.

The track and top trim assembly comprises a beam in the form of a channel It having a fairly rigid web member H such as a wooden board or plank and depending flange forming strips !2 strongly secured at the opposite edges of'theweb,

as shown for instance in Figs. 4 and 8. The strips I! may be rabbeted at notches [3 into the web member I l or simply secured flatwise against the web member. To suspend th channel Ill between the columns in case the adjacent column faces are presented. at right angles'to the axis of the channel as shown in Fig. 4 for example, substantially rigid angle brackets 14 are employed attached as by bolts l5 to a wall'member of the column, thus providing a cantilever projection l 6 for suspending the associatedend of the channel In. The opposite end of the channel I0 is similarly secured. to the cooperating supporting column. For adjustment in eventthe columns A are-erected slightly wider apart than the length of the channel It, the cantilever portion l6 has" slots at. ll adapted to receive securing bolts or fasteners i8i which enter the channel web H. A similar or identical adjustable angle bracket 28 is provided to connect the lowerportion of each column A with the adjacent. end of the base anchor strip C. The two brackets are identical in the particular embodiment illustrated.

Since the base anchor strips can be. strongly secured as by nails or screws 22", Fig. 8;. tov the supporting floor or other surface E the special column supporting angle-brackets 8a and 911 can in some cases be dispensed with even. when no wings are used with the basic installation. providing'the attaching members 2!! are madestrong enough (e. g; wider'than as shown) to hold the columns in erected position.

In cases wherein it may be. found desirable. to hav one or more wing installations extending at various angles relative. to a central or main as.- sembly, or in any case when at least two panel: supporting installations are used in diverging relationship, the; angle brackets l4. and may take the form shown by Fig. 6. Fig. 6 illustrates a pivotal adjustment between the attaching flange or cantilever portion such as [6 which is secured to the track and top trim assembly or to the base strip and a separate angle member Ila for attachment as by screws to the base column. The relatively overlapping portions of the members l6 and Ma are secured together for angular adjustment as by a vertical clamping bolt l6a. By the use of the connector shown by Fig. 6 the wing or wings can extend from the main installation at any desirable angle and be fixed in the selected. position.

Referring further to the track and top trim construction and particularly as shown by Figs. 8 and 9, the underside of the web member I l of the channel l0 supports on its face or in a longitudinal groove, as described, and substantially for its full length a rib member 23 made for example of wood and centrally located between the flange strips 12. The rib 23 has provision for suspending a railor bar as at intervals along the top trim channel and generally free from the rib and.

, other parts of the channel. As shown in Figs; 8

-' and 9' the provision for supporting the rail or bar24 comprises vertical bolts or screws. 25 (one shown) entering the rib 23 for support at their upper ends and being attached as by screw bolts or screws 25 and abut the sleeves 26 and. rib

23 so'that: the axis of the rail will be spaced the same distance from the entire under surface of the rib 2'3 and thus be level. Additionally, the track and trimv assembly comprises one or more movable extension members or aprons 21 and 28, one in. case the panel units are single faced and/oraccessible for removal at one side only of the installation. The aprons normally depend slightly-beyond the upper limits of the panel units D to conceal the upper edges of said units. The. aprons Z'land 28 are secured to the flange strips [2. preferably by inconspicuous hinges 30 (e. g.

piano hinges) enabling each of the aprons tobe swung outwardly when installing or removing.

the panel units D. The aprons may temporarily beswung against the adjacent flange strip 12, as. indicated at the left by broken lines 21' in Fig. 8, and held in that position by a suitable catch or fastener. As shown the aprons havesockets 3| and the channel flanges. carry projections 32 of the snap fastener type positioned to engage the sockets. as latches.

The panel units D are all similarly formed and comprise a main central framework 33 made for 7 example as follows: vertical end frame members 34 are secured. to a suitable number of horizontal frame members 35, 3B and 31 forming a relatively stiff, hollow rectangular frame structure. The top horizontal member 35 of the framing is provided with two rows of upwardly projecting pins 38 adapted to enter correspondingly spaced holes in respective strips 40 which rest ontop. of I the frame members 35. The strips 40 are: made removable for supporting scene-changing panel cover members. at their upper edges as will be described later. Covering the entire framework are semi-rigid panel members or sheets 4i and 42. In case it is desired: that. the display be in one. direction. only from the. structure generall one of the sheets 4! or 42 could be omitted since' the framework is of adequate strength without thev reinforcing. effect lent by the cover sheetsw.

Spacer sleeves the end members 34 of the framework so that the panel units abut only at the vertical edges of the sheets, thus facilitating the closing of joints or cracks which might otherwise be more conspicuous at the abutting or adjacent portions of the panel units. The stiffness of thefirame is' sufficient to prevent misalignment of the vertical edges of the cover sheets; but if the panel units are of unusual height they may have cooperating dowels and sockets not shown for alignment purposes.

Cooperating with the extensions 43 of the panel sheets4| and 42 to align the panel units, each unit has secured, as at its horizontally disposed ends, upstanding guide locks 45. The guide locks may comprise fiat metal strips secured as by screws 46 to the respective members 34 of the panel framework and the upper parallel ends of the strips have open slots 41, preferably with flared entrance portions 48 to assist in making connections between the guide locks and the guide rod or rail 24-.

To mount the panel units the same are swung one by one into inclined positions approximately as-noted at D, Fig. 8, enabling the guide locks to be slipped over the guide rail 24. Then the panel units are swung into vertical position about the guide rail into alignment with the base anchor strip A. Finally the units are lowered to their normal position, one being so shown in full lines in Fig. 8. During assembly or de mounting of the panel units the apron strips 21 and '28 are swung outwardly or into temporarily retained lifted position adjacent the flange strips |2. The sheet material of which the panel facings 4| and 42 are formed may be alike on both sides of the panel units or may differ on such two sides. Any suitable material may be used for the facing, for example plywood, Masonite. gypsum board or metal.

Referring to Fig. 10, this shows a modified means for supporting the guide rail 24. Hanger iron straps 50 (one shown) are secured to respective opposite sides of the rib 23 and looped about the guide rail. Spacer blocks, one shown at are provided between the parallel portions of the hanger iron in abutment with both the guide rail and rib 23.

When it is desired to change the display or for that matter as original installation, the panel sheets 4| and 42 may either or both be covered by suitable web or fabric material such as sized cloth as suggested by Fig. 11. In Fig. 11 small portions of covering material for the entire outer faces of the sheets 4| and 42 are shown at 52 and 53. The top edges 54 of the facing sheets are lapped over the strips 40 and secured as by ordinary tacks 55 and both vertical side edges of each sheet are brought inwardly as at 56 around the projecting margins 44 and secured (e. g.) as by thumb tacks 51 to the vertical frame members 34 of the panel units. At the lower edges the cover sheets 52 and 53 do not ordinarily have to be secured since the sheet material is slightly stretched around both" projecting mar gins 44 of the respective panel sheets. In outdoor installations the cover sheets are 'folded under the panel unit sheets 4| and 42.

Referring further to Fig. 4 it is desirable in many instances to conceal the surfaces of the base columns which are normally exposed to view in the direction of display. This applies especially to the columns at the ends of wing portions of the installations when wings are used. For the above mentioned purpose column cover trim members of generally channel shape, as shown for example at 60, are provided with par allel flanges 6| to fit over opposite walls 1 and 8 of the base columns. As shown the web of the channel 50 has convergent surface portions 62 and an intermediate connecting faceportion 63' parallel to the adjacent side of the base column to be covered. For attaching thecover 'panels to the columns each cover panel is provided near its top end with a bracket 64 adapted to overhang the top of the adjacent channel wall and be secured to the opposite column wall as by a tension spring 65 secured within the column by suitable means. One end of the spring is shaped to provide a readily releasable hook. The lower end of the cover channel does not ordinarily re-" quire attachment of any sort since the weight of the cover channel is usually sufficient to maintain the cover in vertical position.

I claim: I

1. A changeable display construction comprising a pair of columns, an upper and a lower bracket on each of said columns, a base anchor strip adapted to be secured to a floor and con--' nected with the lower brackets of said columns, a beam connected at its ends with the upper brackets of said columns, a rail parallel to said beam (and depending therefrom, a set of panel unit each having a central frame and a facing sheet on one side depending below the frame, means cooperating with said depending portions of the sheets for sliding connection of the units with the anchor strip, and means at the upper end of each of the panel units for sliding detachable engagement with said rail in a vertical direction.

2. A changeable display construction comprising a pair of columns, an upper horizontal guide and a lower horizontal guide, and panels detachably associable with said guides, said upper guide comprising a downwardly open channel containing a rail centrally between the channel flanges, the panel units being slidably engageable with said rail in swung positions of the units, the flanges of said channel including a movable lower flange section enabling such swinging movement of the units and thereafter effecting concealment of the upper marginal portions of the units by the movable section.

3. The arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the downwardly open channel supports a central rib on the lower side of its web, the rail lies below the rib, and means spaced along the rail are provided to connect the rail to the rib.

4. In a changeable display construction comprising upper and lower guides and panels slidable into position between the guides, a panel unit comprising a substantially rigid rectangular frame including upright border members, said frame being covered on at least one face with a display sheet extending beyond the frame at the vertical edges and lower edge thereof, the latter for abutment with the lower guide and the former for mutual edgewise abutment of adjacent panel. units, a pair of upper guide engaging members secured to the. respective upright frame members inwardly from the vertical extended edges of the cover sheet, said members having upwardly open slots for engagement with the upper guide.

5. A changeable display construction comprising. a pair of columns, an upper horizontal guide and a lower horizontal guide, and panels detachably associable with: said guides, asubstantially rigid frame covered at least on. one side with a display sheet, said frame having an upper horizontal border member, a. strip on said border member for supporting an additional overlay sheet for the display sheet, and means for detachably connecting the strip to said upper member of the frame.

6. The arrangement according to claim 5. wherein said means comprises a series of, pins spaced along the upper. frame member and holes in the overlay-supporting strip to receive the pins.

7. In a display apparatus of. the character described including hollow columns and a changeable panel unit and support. assembly between the columns, a column trim member of channel shape and. means including spring hooks for securing the. upper end of the. trim member to the associated column, said means bridging the wall of the column adjacent the trim member and being attached to an opposite wall, of the column.

8. A changeable display construction comprising upright supporting means, upper and lower horizontal guides connecting the supporting means, and panel units aligned and. supported between the guides; characterized in that the panel units are hollow rectangular frames adapted to display matter on both sides, bottom portions of the units extending. detachably in vertically slidable relation to the. lower guide, the units having upstanding projections between the forward and rearward faces of the frames extending detachably in vertically slidable engagement with the upper guide, the lower portion of each unit being wholly disengageable from the lower guide and capable of being swung out of alignment therewith without disengaging the upstanding projections from the upper guide.

9. Achangeable display construction comprising upright members and upper and lower horizontal guides extending between the upright members, and panel units supported between the horizontal guides, characterized in that the upper guide comprises a downwardly open channel. and. a rail between flange portions of the channel, the panel units having slidable detachable connections with the rail and guide, said channel having at least one movable flange portion normally adjacent to and adapted to conceal an upper marginal portion of each panel unit, the panel units being movably vertically and swing-t able to: disengage the lower guide without becom ing disengaged from the rail.

10. The display construction according to claim 9, wherein the movable flange portion is pivotally suspended from a fixed portion of the channel so as to swing outwardly from the normal suspended position of said portion.

CLAUDE U. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 513,164 Webb Jan. 23, 1894 638,434 Woodman Dec. 5, 1899 1,446,367 Zelan Feb. 20, 1923 1,517,551 Fahrney Dec. 2, 1924 1,583,720 Jacobs May 4, 1926 1,675,357 Kollman et a1. July 3, 1928 1,838,685 Kimball et a1 Dec. 29, 1931 2,006,573 Isenour July 2, 1935 2,158,343 Wagner May 16, 1939 

